Government of Flanders working on plan for deep earth thermal energy

The government of Flanders is to explore ways of using deep geothermal energy. Three ministers – Annemie Turtelboom for energy, Joke Schauvliege for environment and Philippe Muyters for innovation – are reported to be working together to create a regulatory framework for its use in Flanders.

Geothermal energy comes from the residual heat left over from the formation of the planet and from the continuing decay of radioactive materials. The liquid centre of the Earth reaches temperatures of up to 4,000 degrees Celsius, while temperatures in the crust, closer to the surface, are as high as 370 degrees C.

Since no energy is used to create the heat, only to access it, geothermal energy is considered cheap, sustainable and environmentally friendly. In addition, the costs are continually coming down. Worldwide, China uses more than anyone else, but the power is also harnessed in the US, Turkey, Germany, France and Iceland (pictured), where heat from hot springs has been used for centuries.

Some parts of Flanders, including Limburg and the Kempen area of Antwerp province, allow access to geothermal water at depths of three to four kilometres at temperatures of 90 to 120 degrees C, which can be used for direct heating or for producing electricity.

As well as developing a regulatory framework, the three ministers will also look at how the government can support the exploitation of geothermal energy by making it economically attractive.

“Anyone who extracts heat from the deeper layers of the earth to heat buildings and homes can in the future count on the support of the Flemish government,” Turtelboom said. The government already plans to put out a call this year for green energy projects for subsidy, with a total budget of €10.25 million. Geothermal energy projects will now be included in the list of projects that will be considered.

Photo courtesy Assgegg/Wikimedia